HC Deb 30 April 1990 vol 171 c724
61. Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made in developing civil service agencies in the last five weeks.

Mr. Luce

Excellent progress has been made. Eighteen new executive agencies have been set up this month, bringing the total to 30, employing some 66,000 staff. More agencies will be established in the next few months, and I would expect to see next steps applied to at least half the civil service by the end of 1991.

Mr. Mitchell

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the promotion of those agencies is extremely important, to ensure that a better service is delivered to the public and that employees derive more job satisfaction?

Mr. Luce

My hon. Friend is right. The main objectives include ensuring not only better value for money for the taxpayer in managing the civil service but that the quality of the service provided by the various agencies is the highest to benefit the public. Evidence from the establishment of the first agencies shows that that is beginning to happen.

Mr. Winnick

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I shall take points of order in their proper place—after the statement.